Investment to date
The Port of Workington has been successful in securing sizable multimillion pound investments during the last five years. This investment is a catalyst for growth, inward investment and increased opportunities available at the port.
The port has a well-defined investment strategy, prioritising infrastructure improvements and commercial opportunities that align with regional and national economic priorities.
It is also an opportunity for future development to take place and also provides the opportunity for current and new businesses to have a presence at the port.
Its investment priorities are structured around key growth sectors, including clean growth across energy, logistics, and advanced manufacturing, ensuring it is ready to respond to market opportunities.
£43.8 million has been invested in Workington over the last five years.
£25.2 million has been invested from the government in activities directly related to the port.
£18.6 million spending in the town through the Towns Fund (not including Oldside).
These investments have been focused around different areas of the port including:
Transport and infrastructure
£4 million was spent on Siddick Bridge to significantly improve road access to the port over the Cumbrian Coast Line railway. The capacity of the network is significantly improved with large sized cargo vehicles access to the port which was previously not possible.
£10.6 million is currently being spent as part of the Workington Gateway scheme to improve connectivity and freight access by enhancing the truck road network and lifting restrictions on HGVs at the A66/A596 junction at Ramsay Brow.
A £1.2 million investment in a new heavy-duty access road within the Port improves connectivity between key loading, handling, and storage areas for heavy loads and machinery, enhancing the efficiency of logistics operations.
Land remediation
£4.5 million of investment is funding the remediation of 5.75 hectares of contaminated land at the adjacent Oldside site and remediation of 2.74 hectares land within the existing footprint. The land has been identified primarily for industrial and logistics related activities. Market demand testing has shown that there is high interest in using the land once the land has been remediated.
Equipment and facilities
A £750,000 investment in an additional warehouse facility increases throughput capacity, contributes to greater resilience, and ensures compliance with the new Border Operating Model. This will improve self-sufficiency and reduce reliance on external storage solutions.
Completed in 2025, the new cement silos will secure tonnage for the Port for the next 40 years and increase cargo throughput to approximately 100,000 MT per annum.
A new mobile crane costing £1.6 million will improve the Port’s capability to handle diverse cargo types efficiently.
A new pilot boat/harbour tug costing £1.2 million ensures the port can continue to fulfil its statutory obligations as a competent harbour authority for the foreseeable future.